Career Reflection - Sirdsvaldis Miglasķēms

[FrostBeard 2,049]

Off-season

Latvia, Nereta 

 

Sirdsvaldis always has been very fond of spending off-seasons back on home soil, at a place where he feels incredibly calm and has a chance to reflect back on parts of his career. 

He decided to prepare a audio recording that sadly could not be played so here is a transcript of what he said.

"To be perfectly honest, my career has had many ups and downs - I came into league as a strong and team oriented centre player with a plan. Always had my mind set on one goal only, to prove that I belong. It was very tough. Had my start in Seattle, yeah, I know, you might say that there was a brief stint in VHLM and a full season with Vikings in VHLE, however, I never really felt like that was a place for me. The goal clearly was to make it to VHL as soon as possible and play with the big dogs. 

About my start with Seattle - 3 seasons, amazing atmosphere and glorious fans pushed me to new hights. I do have to say that I really only achieved the level of play in my 3rd season, a level of play that I feel I could always get to, that is what I meant. Managed to secure a continental cup, however it didn't feel that amazing. I played well throughout playoffs but still feel like I was not where I needed to be. Then came a trade that sent me to LA. 

Time in LA has been wonderful, weather is nice and yet incredibly hot for my Latvian bones, team, fans and support I have received during my last 4 seasons, going into 5th season feels like a very familiar thing to do. Never thought I would say this but I feel like not going into Free Agency even once has made me appreciate what kind of a relationship you can build with your team. It is extraordinary. Statistics. Yes. There have been ups and downs. A league leading performance in S87, top goalscorer and MVP, is all great, I am still incredibly proud that I managed something like that and everyone knows it is surely not a simple feat to do, that said, only a season prior, a team that was built to play and dominate didn't do anything because of my weak leadership. I am slightly disappointed. Heck, who am I kidding, I won't forgive myself that with the crew we have had, we didn't manage to head to finals even once in those 4 seasons. 

Well, I guess there is the 5th. In the end, the run, push to achieve greatness and understanding my own limitations has been something I have always wanted to emphasise to anyone going into this sport. It will be brutal, you will fail and at the same time those failures will become a fuel for greatness if you won't be consumed by that failure."